Looking for a free crochet table runner pattern? Here are 22 of them, and each full written pattern is free on the designer's own site, with no sign-up. There are easy one-row-repeat runners for beginners, lacy thread runners, granny square and circle-motif runners, modern textured runners, and a whole section of Christmas and Thanksgiving runners for the holiday table. Most are worked in cotton, so they wash well and sit flat under candles and dishes.
For each pattern I've listed the yarn, hook and finished size the designer gives, plus what makes it special. A runner is a great project to learn on: it's a long, flat rectangle, there's no shaping, and most patterns let you make it longer or shorter just by adding or skipping repeats.
A quick guide to choosing: if you're new to crochet, start with the first group, which all use one simple repeat. If you love fine work, the lace group has a thread runner and some airy shells. And if you're decorating for the holidays, jump to the Christmas and Thanksgiving section near the end. Start a holiday runner in October and you'll have it done well before the guests arrive.
Easy crochet table runners for beginners
Simple repeats, easy counts and no motifs to join.
Easy Table Runner — Jo to the World Creations. A moss stitch runner about 12 by 72 inches in worsted yarn on an H/5mm hook, finished with tassels. Moss stitch is just single crochets and chains, so it's very relaxing. The pattern tells you how to change the width, too.
Farmhouse Crochet Table Runner — B.Hooked Crochet. A 10-by-72-inch runner made with one repeating row of decrease clusters on a 4mm hook. It uses a soft gradient cake yarn, so the color shifts down the table on its own. Wet block it at the end for crisp edges. Easy.
Crochet Table Runner in Linen Stitch — The Unraveled Mitten. A 23-by-8-inch striped runner in DK cotton-linen on a 4.25mm hook. You change color every row and leave the tails for the fringe, so there's nothing to weave in. Easy, and a nice size for a coffee table or dresser.
Simple Table Runner With Fringe — Kristine's Crochets. A light mesh runner about 12 by 32 inches in sport-weight linen-cotton on a 3.5mm hook, with 32 bundles of fringe. Rated easy to intermediate, with clear stitch counts on every row.
Happy Gatherings Table Runner — Sweet Bee Crochet. About 11 by 39.5 inches in worsted cotton on a 4mm hook. After the first row, the same crossed double crochet row repeats down the runner, so you can stop whenever it fits your table.
Granny Chevron Table Runner — American Crochet Association. A wavy granny chevron by Salena Baca, 11.25 by 44 inches in light (#3) yarn on a G/4mm hook. It's one repeating row for 58 rows, and the designer calls it quick and easy.
Lace and filet crochet table runners
Airy, elegant runners for a dining table or buffet.
Lacy Runner — GoodKnit Kisses. A shell-lace runner in worsted cotton on an H/5mm hook. It's written in five lengths, from 48 to 120 inches, so you can fit any table. It uses an easy two-row repeat.
Floral Table Runner — HandmadebyRaine. The fine one: size 10 crochet thread on a 1.75mm hook, about 8 by 31 inches, with a lacy star-flower stitch and a chained fringe. It looks like a vintage doily but is worked in simple repeating rows.
The Iris Table Runner — Hooks, Books & Wanderlust. A long 13.5-by-78-inch runner in DK cotton-linen on a 5mm hook. Open trellis panels alternate with iris-stitch panels, and there's an optional knotted lattice fringe. Intermediate.
Boho Chic Table Runner — A Crocheted Simplicity. A filet crochet center with granny-stitch edges down each side, 10 by 78 inches in DK yarn on a G/4mm hook. Easy, and the fringe adds a relaxed boho finish.
Granny square and motif table runners
Small pieces joined into a runner, great for portable crochet.
Boho Floral Granny Square Table Runner — Stitching Together. A long 95-by-11-inch runner of puff-stitch flower squares in worsted cotton on an I/5.5mm hook, sewn together and edged with a simple border. Intermediate, and very pretty in two or three colors.
Dara Table Runner — EyeLoveKnots. 22 chunky circle motifs in two colors, made with worsted cotton held double on a 9mm hook and joined into a 15-by-45-inch runner. The designer says the circles are confident-beginner friendly. It's a bold, modern look.
Modern and textured table runners
Texture and stitch play for a fresh, everyday look.
Pathways Table Runner — Madame Stitch. Crossed double crochet texture with neat stacked edges, about 48 by 12.5 inches in tweedy worsted yarn on an I/5.5mm hook. Confident beginner.
Boho Crochet Table Runner — Sandra Stitches. V-stitch and shell rows in cotton on an H/5mm hook, with a scalloped end and optional tassels. Make it any size you like. Experienced beginner.
Betty's 20-Stitch Table Runner — Sewrella. A stitch sampler in five cotton colors on an H/5mm hook. Each section is a few rows of a new stitch, from waffle to cables to spike stitch. It's a fun way to learn 20 stitches and end up with something useful.
Christmas and Thanksgiving table runners
Holiday runners to start now and bring out every year.
Christmas Table Runner — Left in Knots. Red and green spike-stitch stripes, 13 by 46 inches, in DK tweed yarn on a 4.5mm hook. It's 130 rows of an easy pattern, with a classic Christmas-plaid feel.
Crochet Christmas Table Runner — A Crocheted Simplicity. Christmas tree panels worked in intarsia, with granny triangle ends and tassels, in worsted cotton on an H/5mm hook. Easy, and you can make it any length.
Christmas Table Runner — Nicki's Homemade Crafts. A big 16-by-80-inch runner made from 45 granny squares in white, red and green, plus sections of waistcoat stitch. It's in Red Heart Super Saver on a 5mm hook, rated advanced beginner. It's part of her Christmas crochet-along, so you can follow along week by week.
Snowfall Table Runner — Fiber Flux. Snowflake motifs joined as you go into a 30-by-10-inch runner (36 inches with tassels), in worsted cotton on a G/4.25mm hook. It's tagged beginner and has a video tutorial. It works all winter long, not just at Christmas.
Snowflake Table Runner — Petals to Picots. 25 openwork snowflakes in sport-weight cotton on a 3.5mm hook, joined in the last round into a 28.5-by-8.5-inch runner. Intermediate, and beautiful on a dark wood table.
Thankful Table Runner — Briana K Designs. The word "THANKFUL" in single crochet colorwork, written out row by row, about 56 by 11.5 inches in worsted yarn on an H/5mm hook. Easy to advanced beginner. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
Thanksgiving Grateful C2C Table Runner — Nana's Crafty Home. "Grateful" in corner-to-corner mini half double crochet, about 10 by 37 inches on a J/6mm hook. All 79 rows are written out, so you don't need to read a graph.
Tips for crocheting a table runner
- Use cotton. Cotton and cotton-linen hold their shape, wash well and stand up to warm dishes. Acrylic is fine for holiday runners that just sit under decorations.
- Measure your table first. A runner usually looks best about a third as wide as the table. It can be shorter than the table, or hang 6 to 12 inches over each end.
- Watch your edges. Count your stitches every few rows. On a long runner, one missed stitch per row adds up to a crooked edge fast.
- Block it. Wet or steam blocking straightens the edges and opens up lace. Pin it out on blocking mats and let it dry fully.
- Protect it from heat. Use trivets or coasters under hot pots and candles.
Finish the table
For more holiday table ideas, our Thanksgiving table decor patterns have placemats, napkin rings and turkey bread baskets. Our Thanksgiving centerpiece patterns have pumpkins and cornucopias to sit on top of a runner. Lace lovers will enjoy our crochet doily patterns, and the snowflake runners match our winter home decor patterns. A runner with a set of holiday coasters or a dishcloth gift set makes a lovely hostess gift.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet table runner for a beginner?
Pick one with a single repeating row. The Jo to the World moss stitch runner, the B.Hooked farmhouse runner and the American Crochet Association granny chevron all repeat one row from start to finish. Once you've done a few rows, you know the whole pattern.
What yarn is best for a crochet table runner?
Worsted or DK cotton is the most popular choice. It's sturdy, washable and has crisp stitch definition. Cotton-linen blends drape beautifully, and size 10 crochet thread makes a delicate lace runner. Use acrylic only for decorative holiday runners that won't get hot dishes on them.
How long should a crochet table runner be?
Many runners hang 6 to 12 inches over each end of the table, so add 12 to 24 inches to your table's length. For a shorter centerpiece look, make it about two-thirds of the table's length. Most patterns here let you add or remove repeats to fit.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet table runner?
It depends on the size and stitch. A small coffee-table runner can use about 125 to 300 yards. A full dining-table runner usually takes 600 to 900 yards of worsted yarn. Each designer lists the yardage for their sample size, so add a little extra if you're making it longer.
Choose an easy runner to get your rhythm, then start a holiday one in the colors of your season. By the time the family sits down to eat, your table will have a handmade centerpiece. When you're ready to add more, our Thanksgiving table decor roundup has everything to match.
